This property has a documented history as a industrial and manufacturing facility going back to 1914. Historical insurance policies issued during operations at this property and through 1986 could fund a cleanup — and recover costs already spent.

Why Historical Insurance Policies May Be Accessible

Pre-1986 Commercial General Liability (CGL) policies were occurrence-based and did not contain an effective pollution exclusion in Washington. If contamination occurred while those policies were active, those historical insurance carriers may still have a legal obligation to fund the cleanup costs, even if the business closed or the property changed hands.

Releases of chemicals, solvents, fuels, and oils at Keyport's drum storage and plating areas accumulated across decades of industrial operation and were confirmed by a 1983 Initial Assessment Study — placing the contamination origin and trigger firmly before 1986. Occurrence-based CGL policies held by operators during the base's industrial expansion from the 1930s through the 1970s carried no effective pollution exclusion under Washington law. The Superfund listing in 1989 and the ongoing remedial costs charged under a Defense/State Memorandum of Agreement are the documented expenditure trail those historical carriers may be liable to fund.

Restorical's role is to locate viable historical policies, determine whether a successful coverage claim is possible, and assist our clients and their legal counsel to obtain insurance coverage. Restorical then manages the claim, including accounting, to ensure the cleanup is funded in a timely manner.